By RICHIE HALL
ANDERSON – For the first time in 17 years, the Noblesville girls golf team scored a sectional-regional sweep.
The Millers completed their sweep last Saturday at the Lapel regional, which took place at Edgewood Golf Club in Anderson. Noblesville used its consistency to total 294, giving the Millers their first regional title since 2021 and 14th in school history.
Hamilton Southeastern placed second at the Lapel regional with a score of 302. (Richie Hall)
Noblesville last won both sectional and regional titles in 2007 and got into the record books while breaking that drought. The Millers’ score of 294 is the sixth-lowest total in IHSAA tournament history, while Millers meet medalist Josie Kelley’s four under par total of 68 makes her one of 24 golfers to score 68 or better at a regional.
Kelley called her performance “a great day.”
“I think I played really great,” said Kelley. “I was really confident. It’s an 18-hole tournament, so there’s times where you’re playing in spurts and you’re really confident, and then in others you’re not. But I played a really great front nine. I shot 31.”
Noblesville’s consistency was outstanding once more, as all five golfers carded 77 or better. Karis Shields scored 74, tying her for fifth place.
“It’s a lot of adversity these last couple days,” said Millers coach Justin Werkley. “Conditions were challenging. They were steady, they did a great job.”
Noblesville’s victory qualifies it for the state meet, which takes place Friday and Saturday at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel. The top three teams advance to state, and Hamilton Southeastern took the second spot with its runner-up score of 302.
“I was really, really happy with their performance,” said Royals coach Peter Salvadori. “If you would have told me today that we were going to come in here and shoot 302, I would have said that would be absolutely amazing. So, they played beyond my expectations.”
Janelle Garcia went one under par to score 71, making her the individual runner-up. Sophie Roberts scored an even-par 72, tying her for third place; she made an eagle on the 18th hole.
“I’m playing for my team as well as me,” said Garcia. “My teammates are great friends outside of golf.”
Southeastern’s Sophie Roberts made an eagle on the 18th hole. (Richie Hall)
Noblesville will make its 31st appearance at state, tying it for second all-time with Lafayette Jefferson. Hamilton Southeastern will head to state for the 20th time, placing it seventh on the all-time list.
AT EDGEWOOD
Team scores: Noblesville 294, Hamilton Southeastern 302, New Palestine 334, Lapel 343, Mount Vernon 348, Union County 356, Bishop Chatard 361, Heritage Christian 361, Richmond 368, Yorktown 381, Northeastern 385, Cathedral 385, Wapahani 389, Shenandoah 410, Delta 423.
Medalist: Josie Kelley (Noblesville) 31-37=68.
Other Noblesville scores: Karis Shields 38-36=74, Presley White 37-38=75, Olivia Fowler 39-38=77, Olivia Anderson 39-38=77.
Southeastern scores: Janelle Garcia 35-36=71, Sophie Roberts 36-36=72, Laci Hart 38-39=77, Maya Cieply 40-42=82, Karolina Franssen 42-41=83.
Up at Battle Ground Golf Club, Westfield won the Lafayette Jeff regional last Saturday. The Shamrocks scored 306 and once again had the top two individuals.
Addi Kooi took medalist honors with her score of two under par 70; she made five birdies in her round. Kelsey Haverluck was the runner-up by scoring 73. Haverluck made an eagle on the 17th hole and also had one birdie. Sophie Raines, Kate Brown and Lilley Ku all had one birdie.
Zionsville took second place as a team with 314. Defending state champion Carmel finished third with 334 and joins Westfield and Zionsville at the state meet this weekend.
Sophie Mock scored 77 for the Greyhounds, with Maddie Headlee adding 78; both made one birdie.
Guerin Catholic finished in fifth place with 350. Ali Scott led the Golden Eagles with 80, including two birdies. Sarah Rigg also made one birdie.
Westfield won its fourth regional title in program history and qualified for state for the 10th time. Carmel extended its state-qualifying record by advancing to Prairie View: the Greyhounds will be making their 33rd appearance at state.
AT BATTLE GROUND
Team scores: Westfield 306, Zionsville 314, Carmel 334, Brownsburg 336, Guerin Catholic 350, Plainfield 364, West Lafayette 381, Maconaquah 385, Harrison 387, Western Boone 390, Southmont 396, Lafayette Central Catholic 409, Northwestern 441, Peru 457, North Montgomery 500.
Medalist: Addi Kooi (Westfield) 34-36=70.
Other Westfield scores: Kelsey Haverluck 36-37=73, Lilley Ku 44-37=81, Sophie Raines 40-42=82, Kate Brown 45-45=90.
Carmel scores: Sophie Mock 36-41=77, Maddie Headlee 38-40=78, Georgia Murnan 44-44=88, Reese Roudebush 46-45=91, Allie Thompson 48-45=93.
Guerin Catholic scores: Ali Scott 40-40=80, Sarah Rigg 42-45=87, Sydney Delagrange 41-48=89, Gracie Navarro 44-50=94, Avery Wall 51-47=98.
University score: Graclyn Cates 49-42=91.
Thanks for covering girls’ golf, Richie. There is not a better reporter in the state who cares about all high school sports than you!